Should a Political Spectrum Have One Axis or Two?

Chapter 6: Multi-Dimensional Spectrums

Why this book | Title Page | Table of Contents
Preface | Introduction
PART 1
Chapter 1 (1.1) (1.2) | Chapter 2 (2.1) (2.2) (2.3) | Chapter 3 (3.1) (3.2) (3.3) (3.4) (3.5) (3.6)
PART 2
Chapter 4 (4.1) (4.2) (4.3) (4.4) (4.5) | Chapter 5 (5.1) (5.2) (5.3) (5.4) (5.5) (5.6) (5.7) (5.8) (5.9) | Chapter 6 (6.1)
PART 3
Chapter 7 | Chapter 8 | Chapter 9 | Chapter 10 | Chapter 11 | Chapter 12 | Chapter 13 | Chapter 14
PART 4
Chapter 15 | Chapter 16 | Chapter 17 |
PART 5
Chapter 18 | Chapter 19 | Chapter 20 | Conclusion
Appendix | Works Cited

Note: This is an installment of The Freedom Scale: An Accurate Measure of Left and Right. See here for installments of The Distributed Nation: A Plan for Human Independence.

Chapter 6
Multi-Dimensional Spectrums

Another dimension

Cartesian (two-axis) charts

• The Nolan Chart

• Problems with the Nolan Chart

  • Economic freedoms are personal freedoms.

  • Personal freedoms are economic freedoms.

  • Null areas

  • Little bits of freedom are not enough.

  • The left isn’t the apex of personal liberty.

Other multi-dimensional charts

• Liberty vs. the Deadly -isms

• Let’s roll.

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6.1
Cartesian (two-axis) charts

• The Nolan Chart

As we have seen, there are many different metrics by which one can assess a political ideology, concept, or movement. One way to analyze more than one metric simultaneously is to expand beyond a single linear dimension. Indeed, we have already shown several multi-dimensional spectrums in the opening pages of this book.

In chapter 4, we used a triangle to show a tripolar relationship among three movements, rather than the typical bipolar relationship depicted in a linear spectrum. In chapter 5, we discussed a common circular adaptation of the Marxist continuum, which curves the spectrum to show the similarities between the oppressive movements at the poles. As discussed, these movements belong side by side rather than at opposite poles, but that does not invalidate the concept of curving a spectrum to indicate some sort of continuity between the poles, as we will note at the end of chapter 17.

We have also discussed the concept of primary and secondary characteristics, and the crucial importance of knowing the difference. For example, whether one is a man or woman is a primary characteristic; whether one likes watching televised sports is a secondary characteristic. Men and women alike enjoy (or do not enjoy) watching televised sports, and to varying degrees. 

Cartesian (two-axis) charts

Though secondary characteristics must never be used to construct the primary spectrum by which we assess political movements, they are still valid as metrics of analysis. One way to depict them is on the y-axis of a Cartesian chart.

To illustrate how this works, we will create an example chart showing the intersection of two metrics: degree of religiosity and degree of religious freedom.

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